Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP)

The Community Forest Program (CFP) is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to tribal entities, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to acquire and establish community forests that provide co

The Community Forest Program is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to tribal entities, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to acquire and establish community forests that provide community benefits.

Project grants are awarded to Federally Recognized Indian Tribes (including Alaska Native Corporations), local governmental entities, or qualified nonprofit organizations (as defined in 16 U.S.C. 2103(d)) that are qualified to acquire and manage land. Individuals are not eligible to receive funds through this program.

Assistance will be used to acquire easements or land in fee-simple to meet the goals of the program. Landowner participation in the program is voluntary and consists of conveying land to achieve conservation objectives.

Proceeds from this program are restricted to the acquisition of private forest lands identified as having a high risk of conversion to non-forest uses.

The annual request for applications will describe in greater detail the award assistance length and time phasing. The initial grant period is 2 years and funds are released in accordance with the final rule, including completion of acquisition requirements.

Regional or International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) Offices and the State Foresters can be a resource for assistance.

The Forest Service will give priority to an application that maximizes the delivery of community benefits through a high degree of public participation including underserved communities; and (1) Type and extent of community benefits provided. Community benefits include: (i) Economic benefits such as timber and non-timber products resulting from sustainable forest management and tourism (ii) Environmental benefits, including clean air and water, stormwater management, and wildlife habitat (iii) Benefits from forest-based experiential learning, including K-12 conservation education programs; vocational education programs in disciplines such as forestry and environmental biology; and environmental education through individual study or voluntary participation in programs offered by organizations such as 4-H, Boy or Girl Scouts, Master Gardeners, etc.(iv) Benefits from serving as replicable models of effective forest stewardship for private landowners (v) Recreational benefits secured through public access, such as hiking, hunting and fishing (2) Extent and nature of community engagement in the establishment and long-term management of the community forest including from underserved communities (3) Amount of cost share leveraged (4) Extent to which the community forest contributes to a landscape conservation initiative (5) Extent of due diligence completed on the project, including cost share committed and status of appraisal (6) Likelihood that, unprotected, the property would be converted to non-forest uses (7) Costs to the Federal government (8) Additional considerations as may be outlined in the Request for Applications.

The Forest Service will publish an annual request for applications. The Forest Service will prioritize a national project list and issue grant to eligible applicants based on the amount provided in Congressional appropriations.

Extensions may be requested 60 days in advance according to the terms of the award.